God Im sure theres loads more names to the list I've forgotten but all are moving across to the NH, sporting politics aside the Heinken Cup 2008 (fingers crossed)and Guiness premiership should be immense with the quality of players coming across.

Personally I regard Super 14 as the standard bearer for club rugby, I know some of the Northern Hemisphere fans would disagree but im my opinion based purely on the top 4 teams in each competition playing against each other I would have the S14 teams coming out on top...just, however with the number of SH players flocking over to English and french clubs I feel the quality of players is now tipping over in favour of the H cup

Well we all know they are coming over to make names for themselves and make money over here, as I guess it is easier for them to play regular rugby here than there, although if your good enough you will play...

The Question is, Is the face of Rugby Changing, is the North/South Decide being split? Will the All Blacks Choose players who are not playing their rugby in New Zealand

Well we all know they are coming over to make names for themselves and make money over here, as I guess it is easier for them to play regular rugby here than there, although if your good enough you will play...

The Question is, Is the face of Rugby Changing, is the North/South Decide being split? Will the All Blacks Choose players who are not playing their rugby in New Zealand
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Agreed, that's what I always had in mind when I was reading through these posts. The Super 14 and Air New Zealand Cup is the only purpose where New Zealand pick their All Blacks squad, not from overseas. The players moving to the Northern Hemishpere will be affected by this situation.

All Black coach Graham Henry has warned New Zealand fans that they should expect a mass exodus of New Zealand players after the Rugby World Cup.

Henry, in an interview with the New Zealand, cited physical and mental demands on the players, with New Zealand's rugby faithful ever thirstier for success and the Test programme showing no sign of shrinking.

Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Byron Kelleher, and Aaron Mauger are all players who have at least a good three to four years left on their careers and could conceivably make a New Zealand squad for RWC 2011, yet have chosen to head overseas in the hope of escaping the home pressures.

At 23, Luke McAlister is also considering heading to Toulouse in France, and Sitiveni Sivivatu and Nick Evans have both been linked with Agen.

"There are huge expectations on these guys. They play 12 or 13 tests a season and they play big Super 14 games - it is big games all the time.

"Not so long ago a guy might have taken six or seven years to win 35 caps, now he can do that in three or four years.

"These guys are totally committed to the All Black jersey but, for some, they take the view that they need to get out from under the microscope. It's nobody's fault, it is just the nature of the beast."

However, the rule about overseas-based players not being eligible for national selection will not be changed, according to Henry's assistant Steve Hansen, also speaking to the Herald.

"When we've got players playing overseas and being available to play for the All Blacks, then we lose our exclusivity of being able to develop players here," he said.

"Everyone who is staying at the moment is staying because they want to play for the All Blacks, and we just can't afford to lose our trump card."

Hansen concurred with Henry that the opportunity for a new and less pressured lifestyle overseas was just as much a factor in the departing players' decisions as the riches on offer.

"The season overseas is not any shorter, they play just as many games if not more," Hansen said.

"What is different is that when they play overseas they just play for one team, whereas in New Zealand they play Super 14 and international rugby.

"It's disappointing to see a quality player like Jacko leave but he's been a great servant to New Zealand rugby and needed to make this decision based on what's good for him and his family - and we have to support that."

"It's not all about the money. We all know we can't compete financially and that overseas clubs can offer more money, and that's the cold hard facts of it. But we still have the lure of the black jersey."